Transportation Plan May Be In Peril

Some members of the state House of Representatives say they may refuse to sign on to a senate bill which abolishes the Georgia Department of Transportation. That is, unless a proposed amendment is added to the bill...one which goes against the wishes of the governor.

On Monday, a special state House subcommittee heard testimony from colleagues on Senate Bill 200.

The measure is also known as the Transforming Transportation Investment Act.

Governor Sonny Perdue is backing SB 200, which calls for DOT board appointments to be made five by the Governor and three each by the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor.

Currently, DOT board members are elected by a majority of a General Assembly caucus, from each of Georgia's thirteen congressional districts, for a term of five years.

However, during Monday's hearing Representative Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody)
introduced an amendment to SB 200 calling for the General Assembly to retain control over DOT board appointments.

Millar told his colleagues that without such an amendment, the House is unlikely to sign onto SB 200, which virtually guts the DOT.

Millar also told his colleagues that giving up to right to such appointments would be a "tremendous mistake."

Millar's amendment also shortens the term of DOT board members to three years.

House Committee Debates GDOT Changes

A special House Subcommittee on Transportation Funding is meeting at this hour to hear testimony on Senate Bill 200. The measure - titled the Transforming Transportation Investment Act - would abolish the State Road and Tollway Authority and create the State Transportation Authority.

Senate Speaker pro tem Tommie Williams testified in favor of the measure, telling the committee that trying to appease board members, lobbyists and politicians means little gets done by the DOT.

SB 200 would also relegate the Georgia Department of Transportation to the task of road maintenance and inspections.

The bill also forces GDOT to compete alongside private contractors for transportation construction projects.